Question about RAM

[Forward Observer]

I posted this in the apothecary in error and realized it should have gone here in first place.

My current rig is a 3.2 gig HP OEM system that I simply added a better graphics and sound card to. It came with only 512 MB of DDR400 PC3200 RAM, so I added an addtional 512 MB to the one remaining slot to bring the total to 1 GB. It is also has a pre-PCI-express mobo, so I am running on old technology

Just today a friend at work sold me a single 1 GB stick of the same speed RAM for only $20. It was left over from a rig he cannabalized to build annother system.

What I planned on doing was taking one of the 1/2 gig sticks out and replacing it with the 1 gig stick to give myself a total of 1.5 GB of RAM

Since another co-worker said he would give me $10 for my left over 512MB stick I would only be out a net of $10 for the upgrade.

Anyway, I visited the Crucial site to use their free memory analysis program and after running it noticed the following statement in their FAQ.

"Yes, you can install modules one at a time, and you can mix different densities of modules in your computer. But if your computer supports dual-channel memory configurations, you should install in identical pairs (preferably in kits) for optimal performance."


Their analysis said that my system supported dual channel memory configs, but I was wondering if that statement was really true or just is this just marketing BS to try to get me to go ahead and pop for an additional 1 gig stick.

I don't want to waste a lot money since I am on the verge of popping for one of the new dual core based systems which also have the newer PCI-express equipped motherboards.


Opinions?

[Lemur]

I was wondering if that statement was really true or just is this just marketing BS to try to get me to go ahead and pop for an additional 1 gig stick.

Dual channel memory is not marketing BS. I don't know what the current situation is, but back before the Civil War when it was introduced, it made something like a 15% difference in system speed. Some motherboards will ignore the RAM unless it has a matched pair these days.

It's for real.

[sapi]

It does make a difference, but imo an extra 512mb would make a bigger one.

You've nothing (except $20 :P ) to lose by trying.

[BDC]

Stick it in and see...

Expensive, fast RAM will make a big difference though.

[Beirut]

Some machines aren't happy with mismatched RAM or "odd" numbers.

My machine was unhappy with 1x1024 + 1x512 and with 3 x 512.

I needed 2x512 or 1x1024 or 2x1024 (my present config).

[sapi]

Stick it in and see...

Expensive, fast RAM will make a big difference though.

Actually, unless you overclock it won't.

As long as you're running at the optimal speeds for your cpu (nfi what that is with ddr2) the timings mean little for a non-ocer

[Husar]

I had an Athlon XP 2400+(166MHz FSB) and 2*512MB DDR1 400 RAM, I played around with the RAM timings and clock speed(333MHz or 400) and then ran some 3DMark to test the performance gain. Well, all I got was 1-5 3DMarks more or less and actually more with 333MHz and settings by SPD(guess those 1-5 3DMarks are pretty random actually) so I stopped playing around with that.